MID-AMERICA COUNCIL, BSA TRI-STATE HIGH ADVENTURE BASE MISSOURI RIVER TREK PARTICIPANT GUIDE

MID-AMERICA COUNCIL, BSA TRI-STATE HIGH ADVENTURE BASE MISSOURI RIVER TREK PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Welcome to T-SHAB! Welcome to the Tri-State High Adventure Base, or T-SHAB, the Mid-America Council s newest camping experience. Based out of Little Sioux Scout Ranch, and staffed by trained Trek Guides, this is the ULTIMATE adventure for Scouts and Venturers in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Launched in 2015, T-SHAB became the country s newest NATIONALLY ACCREDITED Council-operated High Adventure Bases. Now in our third year, we are offering two different experiences: the Missouri River Canoe Trek and the Loess Hills Backpacking Trek. Both will be equal parts fun and challenging, and will make lifelong memories for you and your crew. By signing on for the Missouri River Trek, you will be among the first to travel this stretch of the Missouri by canoe since Lewis and Clark traveled it by keel boat! Along the way, you will see a diverse mix of habitats, both natural and man-made, giving you a unique look at the area we all call home. From your first day at Little Sioux Scout Ranch, you and your fellow Scouts will experience adventure. You will train with experienced Trek Guides, who will teach you basic skills needed to navigate the sometimes fast-moving waters of the Mighty-MO. You will also learn from experts from the Army Corps of Engineers about river navigation, as well as representatives from the DNR who will tell you about the land and water you will travel through. You will then launch your canoes in Vermillion, South Dakota, starting a 5-day experience which could cover over 150 miles! In this guide, you will find a list of suggested supplies you should bring, along with the supplies with which you will be provided by the T-SHAB Staff. We will also give you an overall suggested trip itinerary, a set of detailed program outlines for each day, and some information on how to customize your trip. At the end, you will find a sneak peak of what we plan on offering in future years, as we develop T-SHAB into a versatile and exciting program for Scouts with varied interest. We look forward to having you take part in the Tri-State High Adventure Base and we hope your adventure is the high point of your year! 2

Contents 2 Welcome 4 What to Bring 5 Equipment Provided at Base 6 Itinerary 11 Detailed Program Outline 15 Customization Options 3

What to Bring The Tri-State High Adventure Base (T-SHAB) will provide you and your Trek Crew with all the supplies you need to navigate the river, including tents and cooking gear (see list on next page.) However, each Scout must provide clothing and some limited optional gear to make their trip comfortable. 2 3 T-shirts 1-2 Long sleeved shirts 1 Sweatshirt, fleece, or light jacket 2 Pants and/or shorts (zip-off type highly recommended) 3 4 Pairs socks (wool, hiking recommended) Underwear Swimming Suit (trunks for guys, one-piece for girls) Boots or durable tennis shoes Water Shoes or CLOSED TOED sandals (NO FLIP-FLOPS) Rain Gear (jacket and pants, not poncho style) Sleeping Bag (compression type HIGHLY recommended) Sleeping Pad (NO COTS) Wide-brimmed Hat or Baseball Cap Sunglasses Bowl (plastic or metal) Sierra-style cup (could be used IN PLACE of bowl) Eating utensils (sporks work GREAT!) Pocket Knife Camera (waterproof or in waterproof, WITH LANYARD or FLOATATION DEVICE) 2 Water Bottles (or one bottle/camelbak holding at least 2 liters) Limited Toiletries (tooth brush, sun screen, aloe, bug spray, soap, etc.) $25-$50 in spending money (for snacks, souvenir, etc.) NOTE: By ROLLING your clothing and packing tightly in gallon-sized zipper storage bags, you should be able to fit all clothing in a backpack similar to what you would bring to school. All clothing will be transferred to T-SHAB dry bags before embarking on the trek; the size of your total gear is important. During a pre-trek shakedown, items deemed unnecessary will be left in a secure storage area at LSSR. 4

Supplies Provided at Base As a Nationally Accredited High Adventure Base, T-SHAB will provide each Trek Crew with the equipment needed for a successful trip. The following items will be furnished for your use during the Missouri River Trek*: Participant Gear: 1 Canoe (one per two participants) 1 Paddle 1 Type III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) 2 Dry Bags (one for clothing, one for sleeping bag) River Crew Gear: Waterproof Storage Case (one per two participants) Cooler (one per two - four participants) Cook Kit: pots, pans, etc. (one per four participants) Stove (one per four participants) Tent (one per two participants) First Aid Kit (one per canoe) Emergency Rope (one per canoe) Back-up Paddle (one per canoe) *Quantities are per participant, unless otherwise indicated. While participants are encouraged to pack basic toiletries, and simple over-the-counter first aid items, like sunscreen, the River Crew will have a supply of these items. River Guide Staff will also carry a larger emergency kit and first aid kit. As much as possible, River Crews will share basic supplies to limit space used. 5

Itinerary Your Missouri River Trek will include 5-days on the river, but your experience begins with check-in at Little Sioux Scout Ranch and ends with a closing campfire back at Little Sioux, after your trek. Here is the basic schedule followed for all River Crews at the Tri-State High Adventure Base: Day 1: Sunday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Arrive at Little Sioux; Check in at Welcome Center Medical Recheck 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Move into T-SHAB Campsite & Meet River Guide 12:00 PM Lunch at Dining Pavilion 1:00 PM Lakefront Training Swim Checks Canoe Drills Emergency Water Rescues 4:00 PM Gear Check Trek Gear Check Out Personal Gear Shakedown 5:30 PM Dinner at Dining Pavilion 6:30 PM DNR / Corps of Engineer Meeting River Navigation Instruction River Route Review 8:00 PM Itinerary Review Pack and Prepare 9:00 PM Campfire 10:00 PM Lights Out 6

Day 2: Monday 5:00 AM Awake 5:30 AM Breakfast 6:00 AM Depart LSSR 8:00 AM Arrive at Vermillion, SD Final Gear Check; Put in River 12:00 PM Expected arrival at Ponca State Park, NE Lunch 1:00 PM Set-up Camp 3:00 PM Horse Rides Archery Swimming Hiking 5:00 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Free Time (Hiking, etc.) 9:00 PM Lights Out Day 3: Tuesday 6:00 AM Awake 6:30 AM Breakfast Pack and Prepare 7:30 AM Put in River 12:00 PM Expected Arrival in Sioux City, IA Lunch 1:00 PM Set-up Camp 2:00 PM Visit to Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Visit other Historical Sites / Monuments 5:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Climbing at Long Lines Rec Center 8:00 PM Return to Camp 9:00 PM Lights Out 7

Day 4: Wednesday 6:00 AM Awake 6:30 AM Breakfast Pack and Prepare 7:30 AM Put in River 12:00 PM Expected Arrival in Decatur, NE Lunch 1:00 PM Set-up Camp 2:00 PM Service Project 4:00 PM Begin Preparing Crew Cookout 5:00 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Free Time Showers 8:00 PM River Crew Campfire 9:00 PM Lights Out Day 5: Thursday 6:00 AM Awake 6:30 AM Breakfast Pack and Prepare 7:30 AM Put in River 12:00 PM Expected Arrival at Little Sioux Campground Lunch 1:00 PM Put back in river 5:00 PM Expected Arrival in Blair, NE Dinner 6:00 PM Set-up Camp 7:00 PM Movie (Optional) 9:00 PM Lights Out Day 6: Friday 6:00 AM Awake 6:30 AM Breakfast Pack and Prepare 7:30 AM Put in River 12:00 PM Expected Arrival at NP Dodge Park Marina Lunch 1:00 PM Put Back in River 8

5:00 PM Expected Arrival at Omaha Marina River Crew Photos Dinner 6:00 PM Pack Vehicle Return to LSSR 7:30 PM Arrive at LSSR Return T-SHAB Gear 8:30 PM Closing Campfire Optional Night Hike 10:00 PM Lights Out Day 7: Saturday 7:00 AM Awake 7:30 PM Breakfast at Dining Pavilion 8:30 PM Check Out Depart Little Sioux 9

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Detailed Program Outline Each day, your River Crew will experience something new and different. As you make your way down the Missouri River, you will pass through towns and cities, golf courses and resorts, as well as areas seemingly untouched by modern man. There will be a program offering at every stop along the way. Here are some details for each day s program: Day 1: Sunday Medical Rechecks All participants (youth and adult) must turn in a completed BSA Health Form, parts A, B, and C. All participants must also comply with BSA standards for High Adventure activity, outlined in the form, including the height/weight ratios recommended for High Adventure. Participants who do not meet requirements or who present a health risk to themselves or others may be asked not to participate in the trek. All allergies and medications must be reviewed in detail with the Camp Medic. Swim Checks All participants (youth and adult) must pass a BSA Swimmer Test and achieve the highest ( Blue-Swimmer ) level. Prequalifications will NOT be accepted; all participants must complete their swim test on camp property, under the supervision of our Aquatics Director. Participants who do not meet the swimming standard may be asked not to participate in the trek. Canoe Drill All participants (youth and adult) will be taken out onto the lake at LSSR to practice maneuvers that will be needed on the river. Each participant will need to show proficiency in basic canoeing strokes (see appendix) from both the front and rear paddling positions. Of particular importance will be proficiency in J stroke and C stroke as well as completing 90 degree turns. All participants will need to show proficiency before being allowed onto the river trek; Trek Staff will assign paddling positions (front & rear) based on drill performance. Trek Staff and Aquatics Director reserve the right to restrict or prohibit participation based on proficiency. Emergency Water Rescues All participants (youth and adult) will be asked to demonstrate several emergency water rescues. Of specific importance will be throwing rescue ropes to participants around a capsized canoe, recovering free-floating canoe and participants, and navigating both to shore. Drills will NOT include standard Canoeing Merit Badge rescue work (such as righting a capsized canoe, taking passengers on, etc.) due to 11

the specific conditions and hazards of navigating a river. Emergency procedures outlined by Trek Staff will be followed at all times on the river. Gear Check All participants (youth and adult) will participate in an equipment shakedown. All personal items will be reviewed by Trek Staff and some personal items may be deemed unnecessary for the trek. Many items (such as toothpaste, soap, etc.) can be shared between River Crew members. All items to be left at LSSR will be stored securely and be returned upon the completion of your trek. DNR / Corps of Engineers The best way to learn is from the experts. T-SHAB has arranged to have experts from the DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers to help support our programs and our Crews. Representatives from at least one of these agencies will be on site to review important concepts of river navigation, natural land forms, and wildlife along the way. These experts, along with our River Guide Staff, will teach the River Crew how to identify navigational aids, what hazards to avoid, and what historic or natural landmarks you will see along the way. Itinerary / Route Review Before going to bed on Day 1, all participants will review the week s itinerary with the River Guide and other T-SHAB Staff. Adjustments can be made depending on the Crew s readiness and interest in specific areas/distances. Guides will help give advice, and youth and adult leadership should decide on the best kind of trip for their group. Adjustments to the overall schedule can be made each day along the river, giving you many opportunities to customize your experience. Adjustments may also be made each day depending on weather. Campfire A small fire can be laid and the River Crew can enjoy some fellowship around it on their first night at camp. While there will not be a formal program for this fire, the River Crew is encouraged to use this as a chance to better get to know their Crewmates. Day 2 Monday Clay County Boat Ramp; Vermillion, SD Start your Trek in the northern-most state covered by the Mid-America Council. This marks the start of every T-SHAB River Trek. Ponca State Park, NE After the first 20 miles on the river, your first stop is this beautiful State Park. Once camp is set up in one of their primitive campsites, your River Crew will take to horse back for a few hours of trail rides. Then, check out the Ponca pool, hike one of several trails on their 10+ mile system, shoot archery at the range, or just kick back at camp. 12

Day 3 Tuesday Sioux City, IA Set up camp at the 50 mile marker outside of the historic Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Visit the center, to learn the dynamic history of this major waterway and the men and women who made it what it is today. Visit other surrounding museums and historic sites, before venturing deeper into the city. Then, after a campsite dinner, visit the Long Lines Recreation Center and climb their indoor climbing wall...40 feet into the air! Enjoy a private, 2 hour session on the wall before bed. Day 4 Wednesday Beck Memorial Park; Decatur, NE Stop on your third day on the river in the village of Decatur, at Beck Memorial Park. After establishing camp, your River Crew will give back to the town by completing a small service project at the park. Then, fire up grills and cast iron cookware and prepare a feast fit for kings, using methods and ingredients familiar to Lewis and Clark. Day 5 Thursday Little Sioux, IA The first of two days of heavy paddling, your River Crew will cover 40 miles on the river in a single day. Along the way, you will stop for lunch at the riverside campsite at Little Sioux, mere miles from the Little Sioux Scout Ranch. But this is just a brief stop, before returning to the river toward Blair. Blair, NE After your arrival in Blair and a quick campsite dinner, your River Crew can choose to either relax at camp or go into town for a movie. (Ambitious Crews can push on to Wilson Island and cover 50 miles in a single day, if daylight allows.) Day 6 Friday NP Dodge Park, Omaha, NE With the skyline almost in site, your River Crew can stop for a bite to eat at this lovely park. Alternatively, you can eat a floating lunch along the river, and press on to the finish. 13

Omaha Marina, Omaha, NE By passing under the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and navigating into the Omaha Marina, you will have crossed the finish line, marking 162 total river miles on the Missouri River. River Crews can take pictures here and enjoy a dock-side meal, before loading up the trailer to head back to LSSR. Closing Campfire River Crews can shower and settle in upon their triumphant return to Little Sioux, and then either participate in the evening program with the Cub Scout Resident Camp, or enjoy their own final campfire program, led by their River Guide. Night Hike Crew Members with a little extra energy can enjoy a night hike up the LSSR Hope Trail to see the stars, as well as the lights of distant towns and cities, some of which the Crew passed along the river. 14

Customization Options Some customization options have been outlined above. However, the River Trek experience is highly customizable, able to be fit to the endurance and interests of the Crew. Possible customizations include: Layover Days Most locations are fit for an additional day layover, specifically Ponca State Park and Sioux City. Your Crew can stay an additional day in any location and enjoy local sites/attractions. (Layovers will reduce the total number of river miles.) Early Removal from River The number of boat access points along the Missouri make it possible to remove Crews from the river every 5-10 miles. If need arises, either because of weather, participant exhaustion, or first aid need, the Crew can be removed before the scheduled stop and transported in whole or in part to the scheduled campsite. (Early removal will reduce the total number of river miles.) Extended Floats If your Crew is ambitious, and wishes to focus their time on paddling and forgo program, you can race down the Mighty-MO. It is possible to cover the complete 162 miles in 4 days, by skipping some program stops. Your River Guide can help you accomplish this feat; upon arriving at LSSR on Thursday, your River Crew would be able to enjoy some program at camp, including swimming, fishing, climbing, and archery...and even CANOEING! (By extending your daily float, you will miss one or more of the program offerings above. You may also be prohibited from extending a day s float if the River Guide determines there is not enough daylight to reach your campsite that night.) 15